Richmond, UT – The applicant for a new ski area in Richmond, in Cache County in far northern Utah, has withdrawn his application.nLandowner John Chadwick in March filed a conditional use permit with the county seeking to build what was alternately known as Rainey Ranch Ski Resort, or Cherry Creek Canyon Ski Resort, east of the town of Richmond. Josh Runhaar, director of the Cache County Development Services department, confirmed Thursday that Chadwick has withdrawn his application after area residents and the conservation group Bear River Watershed Council voiced their opposition based upon traffic and wildlife concerns.

Chadwick cited “a number of reasons” for withdrawing his proposal, although he indicated that the reasons were primarily financial and involved the cost of environmental studies and other pre-startup costs. He denied that local opposition played a role in his decision.

Chadwick’s plans had called for a small ski area consisting of three lifts and a tubing park to serve 1,000 to 1,200 skiers and snowboarders per day in Cherry Creek Canyon. He indicated that he does not plan to present the proposal again for consideration.

Cache County is already home to two ski areas. Beaver Mountain is in Logan Canyon, northeast of Logan, while the majority of Powder Mountain Resort lies in southern Cache County, with the remainder in adjacent Weber County.